Toy.



F. H. HALL.

TOY.

m m W W F. H. HALL.

TOY.

APPLICATION FILED JUNB27,1912.

[/VVZZNTOR FrankHHaZl Patented Aug. 4, 191i 2 BHEETSSIIIJET 2.

WITNESSES.-

FRANK H. HALL, OF YONKERS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO STRAUSS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

TOY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 4., 1914.

Application filed June 27, 1912. Serial NO. 706,142.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK H. HALL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Yonkers, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Toys, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in toys, and has relation more particularly to devices of this general character known as figure toys; and it is the object of the invention, in part, to provide a device of this general type of a comparatively simple and inexpensive nature, having novel and improved means whereby the device may be caused to simulate the movements of the object which it represents, whether animate or inanimate; and, in art, to provide a device of this general character, wherein the supporting means thereof are substantially invisible, when the device is in operative position and normally presented to the eye.

The invention consists also in certain novel features of the construction, and combinations and arrangements of the several arts of the improved toy, whereby certain important advantages are attained, and the device is rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise better adapted and more convenient for use, all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of the invention will be carefully defined in the claims.

In order that my improvements may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a toy constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken longitudinally of the device, as shown in Fig. 1, and at substantially the transverse center thereof; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on a line a--a on Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view partly in side elevation and partly in section, illustrating certain details of my invention, as disclosed in the preceding figures; Fig. 5 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating a further embodiment of my invention; and Fig. 6 is a somewhat diagrammatic view, illustrating in side elevation certain parts of my invention, as contained in Fig. 5.

As herein described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, my invention sets forth a device in simulation of a duck or the like, wherein means is provided capable of operation to cause certain parts of the figure to move, as, for instance, the bill, and to create a sound characteristic of the duck or the like. i: wish to state particularly, however, that I have found that my rnvention may be employed with equal facility with figures of various other types, as, for instance, representations of the elephant, the human figure, a boat, and. other figures, wherewith it is especially designed and adapted to create a waddle or a rocking movement or to emit a sound characteristic of the object simulated. It is believed, however, that the single embodiment of my invcntionyas herein set forth, is suliiciont to indicate the tion thereof.

As shownin these views, 1 denotes a body portion formed in simulation of a duck, iaving produced in its under side a cavity 2, affording a chamber wherein is positioned certain of the parts of my improvements. The size and configuration of this cavity 2 forms no particular feature of my invention other than it be of such form as to meet the various requirements.

The body 1 is provided with an upwardly directed extension 1, which is formed in simulation of the headof a duck or the like, and is provided with an angular bore 3, in communication with the cavity or chamber 2, and terminating beneath the junction of the stationary or upper bill art 1 of the head portion 1, as is believe to be clearly shown in Fig. 1. Secured to the opposite side walls of the cavity 2 at any predetermined points, and in alinement with each other, are the bearing plates 4, 4, depending a slight distance beneath the body portion, the exterior portions of such plates aifording a suitable mounting for the shaft 5, extended transversely of the body 1, and ha ving its opposite end portions terminating 1n the crank members 6, 6, for a purpose to be hereinafter more particularly referred to.

Fixedly secured to the shaft 5 are the supportin members 7, 7 disclosed in Figs. 2 to 4 as elliptically formed disks, having their greatest diameters disposed at an angle of ap proximately 90, one with relation to the other, although it is to be stated that the general construction and operadegree of angle may be'varied as ma be desired, it only being necessary that t e sup porting members 7, '7 be so arranged as to create a transverse rockin movement of the body 1, when it is cause to move over or traverse a supportmg surface. Nor is it arm 9 thereof. servin ,as the lower bill,

While, the oppositely irected arm 10 extends withinthe angular bore 3, and is adapted to be suitably engaged by a mechanism operableby the rotation of the shaft 5, whereby such lever 8 will.move about its pivot 11 m such amanner asto cause the arm 9 tosimulate the movements ofthe lower bill of a duck or thelike, especially when opening to emit a characteristicsound, although it do notwish to be understoodas limiting: myself in all instances to this par ticular feature or fact; i U

Suitably, secured to the botto or base will of the cavity or chamber 2 .1S a S01111d7' ing member 12, herein shown as of pulsative or bellows type; and asthe specific construction of this soundin member-.12; forms no particular feature 0 ,my, invention, 1 wish it to be understood that it is fully within the province of my invention to employ any sound creating means, which will, operate with facility. I

As shown in the present embodiment of my invention, the lowerboard 12 of the member 12 ismoved relatively to the upper board 12, which is fixedly secured in-any desired manner to the base wall of the cavityor chamber 2, and it is the relative move ment of the boards 12, and 12 which resuit in the desired ulsations to create the sound. Secured tot e under surface of the board 12 adjacent to the forward edgev thereof, and at substantially its transverse center, is an eye member 13, pivotally engaged with the end portion of a link 14, the opposite end portion of such link being in pivotal engagement with the intermediate offset or crank 15, produced in the shaft 5. By this arrangement it will be readily observed that upon proper movement of the shaft 5 the desired pulsations of the member 12 will be efiected. While the constructlon herein disclosed for operating the member 19, i have found of particular advantags, it is to be stated that other means may be employed; as, for instance, a cam incense member 15, as shown more particularly in the embodiment of the invention as disclosed in Fig. 5, such cam member 15 being fixedly secured to the supporting shaft 5", and being adapted to rotate therewith. The eye member 13 of the sounding member '12 is pivotally engaged with a link 14, the opposite end portion of such link being formed to produce a cam or eccentric strap 14: embracing the periphery of the cam member 15", and ,coacting with such cam member ina well known. manner, to afiiord the proper ulsations to the member 12.

1 have ound that, the general efi'ect of a toy constructed in accordance with my improvements is greatly enhanced when the sounding member is caused to operate in unison. with the movement of the lever 8, and more. particularly when the arm 9 thereof is moved away from the part 1"; and, as shown in the accompanying drawings,this particular operation is afforded by the elongated arm 16, carried by the board 12 and Y projecting forwardly thereof and terminating in eye 17 positioned beneath the bore 3 of the body 1, said eye 17 permitting a pivotal engagement between the elongated member 16 and a link 18. The link 18 extends within the bore 3, and has pivotal engagement as at 19 with the inwardly directed extension 10 of the lever 8, and, as particularl shown in Fig. 2, it is thought to be clear y obvious that upon the rise and fall of the board 12 the lever 8 will be caused to rock upon its pivot 11, which results in the opening and closing movement of the arm 9, which is in simulation of the lower bill of a duck or the like.

.As has been hereinbefore stated, it is a particular feature of my improvements to so sup ort the body 1 as to eflect a waddle or roc 'ng movement of the body 1, when the same is in transit over a su porting sur-' face; and I have found that etter results are obtained, when the body 1 is supported at three points of contact and the points of contact disposed in parallel planes, and as disclosed in. the l pr-"elsentinstance, such planes of contact extend longitudinally of.

20, when the device is .in operative position, in contact with the supporting surface, over which the toy traverses; and the position or location of this intermediate portion 20*? of the runner 20 is constant or fixed relatively to the body 1, and is immovable independently thereof whereby it naeaeaa of a iiulcrum to determine or control the rocking movement of the body 1, as created by the-supporting members 7, 7 or 7 7.

The runner 20 may be constructed inany desired manner and of any preferred material, butI have found it of particular advantageto produce the same from an elon gated strip of metal, possessing sufiieient rigidity and circular in cross section, having its extremities, as indicated at 21 by dotted lines in Fig). 2, embedded within the under part of the ody 1, and having its intermediate portion so bent as to adord a proper contact of the runner with the supporting surface over which the device is adapted to be drawn.

To each side of the body 1 and extending therebeneath is a member 22, such members 22 being in simulation of the pedal eX- tremities, as herein disclosed, of a duck or the like; and the upper end portion of such members are accommodated within cavities or pockets 23 produced in the under surface of the body 1, while intermediate its length each of the members 22 is rovided with a rearwardly extended per orated ear 24, through which projects the adjacent crank portion 6 of the shaft 5, whereby such member is caused to move, upon roper movement of such shaft 5 in simulation of the movements of the pedal extremities of a duck or the like. It is to be observed, as particularly shown in Fig. 4, that each of the cavities or pockets 23 is of such a size as to permit readily the requisite movement of the member 22, but serves to limit or confine such movement, whereby the member 22 is maintained in proper position. I wish to state particularly that the-members 22 serve in no way as a supporting means for the body 1, as, in fact, the movements imparted to the members 22 are insufficient to cause contact of such members with the supporting surface over which the device travels. I do not wish, however, to be understood as limiting myself in this particular regard, as under certain conditions it may be preferred that a contact be had by the supporting members 22 or their equivalents with the supporting surface over which the device may be drawn.

As shown in Fig. 1, the toy constructed in accordance with my improvements appears as when in operative position or in position to be drawn over the supporting surface on which it rests; and I wish to call attention particularly to the fact that the supporting means for the device are wholly invisible, and that the eye is addressed by an object which is in close simulation of the thing which it may represent, and that no confusion is created in the mind, espcciallv in tim'mind of a child, as to the natural characteristics of the original of the device; and I consider it an important or essential feature of my improvements to so position or mount the supporting means, whereb the some are rendered substantially invisi lc.

From the foregoing description of my improvements, it is believed to be apparent that a toy constructed in accordance with my invention is of an extremely simple and comparatively inexpensive nature, and is particularly well adapted for use by reason of-tlie naturalness whereby certain cl1aracteristics of the object simulated are closely imitated; and it will also be obvious, from the foregoing description of my invention, that the same is susceptible of considerable modification without material departure from the principles and spirit of the invention, and for this reason I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the precise formation and arrangement of the several parts, as herein set forth in carrying out my invention in practice.

Having thus fully described In Invention, what I claim as new and eslre to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a body, a part positioned for movement relatively to the body, a sounding device carried by the body, a su porting means for the body movable relative y thereto, and having means for imparting lateral movement to the body, and connections between the supporting means and the part and the sounding device.

2. A device of the character described comprising a body, parts positioned for reciprocal movement relatively to the body, supporting means for the body movable relativel thereto, and having means for imparting ateral movement to the body, and con nections between the supporting means and the parts to reciprocate such parts when the supporting means is moved relatively to the bod A device of the character described comprising a body, a part carried by the body upon which said body may rock, a supporting means co-acting with said part to rock the body, parts positioned ad acent the sides of the body and capable of reciprocable movement, and connections between the supporting means and the movable parts to impart movement thereto when the device is in transit.

1. A device of the character described comprising a body, a supporting means therefor movable relatively thereto, and movable members connected with the sup porting means and movable in unison therewith, said body being provided with guiding means for maintaining the movable members in operative position.

5. A device of the character described comprising a body, a part carried by the body and positioned therebeneath and upon which said body may rock, rotatable supporting means positioned at either side of the part, and a connection alternately raised and lowered by said supporting means and serving to rock the body on the part.

6. A device of the character described comprising a body, a runner depending from the body and adapted to contact with the surface over which such body may be moved, supporting means for the body movable relatively thcreto and positioned at either side of the runner, and a connection oscillated by said supporting means whereby said body may be caused to rock on such runner.

7. A device of the character described comprising a body and a supporting means therefor, such supporting means including three members arranged side by side, the intermediate member being immovable relatively to the body and the two outer members being movable relatively to the body, and a connection oscillated by said outer members serving to rock the body on the intermediate member.

8. A device of the character described comprising a body having a cavity in its underside, a runner depending from the body and bridgingthe cavity, and supportmg means for the body movable relatively thereto and extending within the cavity, and a connection oscillated by said supportlng means serving to rock .the body on the runner.

9. A device of the character described comprising a body, a longitudinal runner depending centrally from the under side thereof, elliptical disks having their major axes disposed at an angle relatively to each other, said disks constitutin supports for the body by each side of sai runner, and a transverse connection between the body and said disks operating to impart a rocking movement to the body as it is drawn on the runner.

10. A device of the character described comprising a body, parts positioned for reciprocating movement relatively thereto, supportingmeans for the body movable relatively to the same, a runner fixed to the body upon which the latter can rock, said supporting means operating to tilt the body on said runner alternately from opposite sides, a sounding device in the body, and connections between said sounding device, supportin means, and reciprocating parts.

11. A evice of the character described comprising a body, a runner upon-which the body can be drawn, rotatable supports for the body located on opposite sides of said runner, said supports operating to tiltthe body on the runner alternately from one side to the other, a pulsating sounding device inside the body, parts on the body having reciprocal movement relatively to the same, and operative connections whereby said sounding device is pulsated and said parts reciprocated while the runner is being drawn and the body rocked.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

FERDINAND STRAUSS, W. E. LAWSON. 

